Organic
Egg

Organic egg production is the production
of eggs through organic means. In this process,
the poultry are fed organic feed. According to the
United States Department of Agriculture, organic
means that the laying hens must have access to the
outdoors and cannot be raised in cages. Organic
egg producers cannot use antibiotics except during
an infectious outbreak. Only natural molting can
occur within the flock; forced molting is not allowed.
Organic certification also requires maintenance
of basic animal welfare standards.

Significant differences between "Free Range"
and "Organic"that cover feed, medication,
and animal welfare. Organic hens are fed organic
feed; it is prohibited to feed animal byproducts
or GMO crops - which is not disallowed in free range
environments; no antibiotics allowed except in emergencies
(in free range, it is up to the farmer, but the
same levels of antibiotics as conventional farming
is allowed); required animal welfare standards in
organic farms, which can improve the quality of
both the eggs and the meat - low stress levels lead
to superior quality of animal products, a fact long
known and used in the production of the famous Wagyu
beef. Look for labels that say both "Organic"
and "Free-Range". Cage free only means
that they are not in a cage, but are usually still
confined in barns at high population densities.

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